A few DIY ideas for a candle wedding centerpiece can help a bridal couple save money. This traditional wedding centerpiece creates a romantic ambience for a reception that's suitable any time of day. Multiply your supplies by the number of tables that need centerpieces for a bulk purchase.
Festive Barware Centerpiece
Utilize barware to create an easy centerpiece. Pick barware that fits your wedding style - margarita or daiquiri glasses for a beach wedding, wine glasses for a wedding held at a vineyard, champagne glasses for an elegant wedding - or you can group several different glasses together to create a unique look at each table.
Supplies
- 1 homemade candle in a glass
- 2-4 small clippings of faux flowers on stems with leaves, in wedding colors
- Ribbon to match the flowers and/or candle
- Glue gun
- Glue
- Additional faux flower clippings or blooms, optional
Instructions
- Make candles in your choice of barware according to the homemade candle making instructions.
- Using the glue gun set on low, attach two, three, or four floral clippings to the stem of each glass. Allow glue to cool.
- Tie ribbon around the bottom of the stem so that the knot will cover the spot where you glued the floral clippings to the glass stem.
- Make a bow with the ribbon you just tied.
- Place one to three glasses in the center of your table, depending on your table size and the number of glasses you made.
- Scatter additional faux flower clippings or blooms around the bottoms of the glasses, if desired.
Vertical Floating Candle Centerpiece
Instead of placing a few floating candles in a large bowl, use tall vases of varying heights to create a pretty centerpiece.
Supplies
- 1 set of 3 cylinder vases
- 2 small white round floating candles
- 1 large white round floating candle
- 2 cylinder votive vases
- 2 white votive candles
- 1 round mirrored tray
- Floral wire
- Glue gun
- Glue sticks
- Clear glass beads, to cover bottoms of vases
- Assorted flower blooms in varying sizes - both cut stems and cut flower heads
- Ribbon in wedding color(s)
- Water
Instructions
Votives
- Cut a length of ribbon off the roll so it fits around the votive holder with approximately two inches extra length.
- Tie the ribbon around the center of the votive holder.
- Attach floral wire to small-sized flower heads and attach to the knot in the ribbon.
- Use your glue gun and glue as needed to affix the ribbon and flowers in place.
- Add a votive candle to the holder.
- Repeat steps 1 through 5 for the second votive.
Vases
- Cover the bottom of each vase with clear beads.
- Add a large bloom to the small vase.
- Add two large blooms and one cut stem to the larger two vases.
- Fill with water approximately 2/3 to the top of each vase.
- Add the large floating candle to the top of the tallest vase and the two smaller candles to the other vases.
Assembly
- Place the mirror tray in the center of the table.
- Arrange the three vases in the middle of the tray in a triangular shape; the two taller vases should be behind the smaller one.
- Add one votive to each side of the smaller vase.
- Tweak vase and votive positioning as necessary until it looks even.
Hurricane Pillar Centerpiece
Large pillar candles don't require a lot of fuss to look good.
Supplies
- 1 hurricane vase candle holder
- 1 square mirror
- 1 white pillar candle
- 6 to 8 mini tea lights
- Clear glass beads, to fill bottom of vase and hold candle
- Assorted greenery
- Assorted flower petals
Instructions
- Place the pillar candle in the center of the vase.
- Add clear glass beads until the bottom is covered and the pillar candle stays in place, approximately 1/2 to 1 inch up the candle, depending on candle height and size.
- Set the vase with the candle inserted on top of the mirror in the center of the table.
- Scatter greenery on top of the mirror and around the vase.
- Scatter flower petals on top of the greenery and onto tabletop.
- Place tea lights around the edges of the centerpiece.
- Adjust tea lights and flower petals as needed until it looks good.
More Ideas
Consider one of these additional candle centerpiece ideas:
- Incorporate tapered candles into your floral or topiary centerpieces; simply ask your florist when discussing ideas.
- Scatter tea light candles down the center of a rectangular table on top of a table runner, accented with silk flower petals.
- Choose a decorative candle holder for a themed wedding, like one with ornaments at a Christmas wedding or a bird cage for an outdoor garden wedding.
- Create a rustic feel by using imperfect homemade candles, either made by the bride or purchased, at a country or western wedding.
- Place several small votive candles in holders next to floral centerpieces.
- Set votive and tea light candles on a long plate that is in your wedding color. Add small pebbles or beads around the candles and place on rectangular tables.
Celebrate With Candles
Whether you choose to make a large centerpiece with floating candles, a simple pillar centerpiece, a unique centerpiece using poured candles, or another idea, don't forget to bring your matches. The celebration won't be complete until your centerpiece is lit for all your guests to enjoy.
